Ear Ring having a Pivotable Member

ABSTRACT

An ear ring to be worn by a user may include a first section having a central aperture and a second section being pivotably connected to the first section and being positioned within the central aperture. The first section may be substantially a discontinuous crescent shape, and the first section may be substantially a continuous crescent shape. The surface of the first section may be textured, and the surface of the first section may be polished. The second section may be substantially a hemisphere shape and the first section may be substantially a rectangular shape. The second section may be substantially a rectangular shape, and the ear ring may include a third section that is pivotably connected to the second section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry and more particularly to an ear ring which may be worn in either a first position or in a second position.

BACKGROUND

Stud earrings and earring drops which dangle therefrom have been around for a long time The top stud element typically consists of a cylindrical basket which holds a round stone therein, a wire post attached to a circular underside of the cylindrical basket for inserting the stud into a hole in the ear, and a nut engagable with the post for securing the stud element to the ear. The cylindrical basket typically has four or six prongs which hold the stone from a top side thereof, a seat which holds the stone from a bottom side thereof, and a circular, flat base below the seat to which the prongs and the post are attached. Traditionally, there have been two ways to dangle an element off such a stud earring, either from the post or from the basket. When the dangle element is suspended from the post, it typically includes a metal protrusion which extends out from the dangle and which has a hole punched therethrough so that the post can be inserted therethrough and then through the ear hole. When the dangle element is attached to the basket, the basket typically has a loop which extends out therefrom, and the dangle has a hook which engages the loop so that the dangle is freely suspended from the top stud. Alternatively, the wire hook may be positioned on the basket and the loop on the dangle element with the same effect.

A revolution in the design of the stud basket provides for a conically shaped basket instead of the traditional cylindrical basket. The conical baskets are typically formed by either two, three, four or six wires which originate at a point and conically extend out therefrom to form the basket. The post is attached at the point where the wires meet. The conical basket arrangement permits the top stud to be inserted deeper into the ear than its cylindrical counterpart and therefore the stud does not “flip or droop over” as is typical with the cylindrical baskets. However, a compromise of the conical basket arrangement has been that it is even more difficult to removably attach a dangling element because there is less surface area to work with on the basket.

SUMMARY

An ear ring to be worn by a user may include a first section having a central aperture and a second section being pivotably connected to the first section and being positioned within the central aperture.

The first section may be substantially a discontinuous crescent shape, and the first section may be substantially a continuous crescent shape.

The surface of the first section may be textured, and the surface of the first section may be polished.

The second section may be substantially a hemisphere shape and the first section may be substantially a rectangular shape.

The second section may be substantially a rectangular shape, and the ear ring may include a third section that is pivotably connected to the second section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the first section of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of another first section of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of another first section of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of another first section of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the first section of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a first position of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a first position of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a first position of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a first position of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a second position of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a second position of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in a second position of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in the second position of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the first and second section in the second position of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a back view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the first section and a second section of the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view of the first section and a second section of the present invention;

FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of the first section and the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 24 and a top view of the first section and the second section in an open position;

FIG. 25 illustrates a top view of the first section of the present invention;

FIG. 26 illustrates a top view of the first section of the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of the first section and the second section of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of the first section and a second section of the present invention;

FIG. 29 illustrates a top view of the first section, the second section and a third section of the present invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates a side view of the first section, the second section and a third section of the present invention;

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of a partially open ear ring and the first section, the second section and the third section of the present invention;

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of the first section, the second section and the third section in an open position;

FIG. 33 illustrates a top view of the first section, the second section and the third section in an open position;

FIG. 34 illustrates a pendant in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The ear ring 100 provides for attractive device which includes a first section 117 and a second section 131 which may be pivotably connected in order to provide flexibility in displaying the ear ring 100, and the ear ring 100 maybe formed from a precious metal, a semi precious metal, metal or plastic or other suitable material. FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the first section 117 and illustrates a discontinuous crescent shaped, first top surface 101 which may be connected to a exterior side surface 105 and a first interior side surface 115 which may define a first central aperture 113. The first central aperture 113 may be defined by a first shaft 119 which may extend across the back of the first section 117, and the first exterior side surface 105 and the second interior side surface 115 may be connected to a first back surface 119. The first top surface 101 may be planar or may be convexly curved.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the first top surface 101 may be textured.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the first section 117 and illustrates a discontinuous crescent shaped, first top surface 101 which may be connected to an exterior side surface 105 and a first interior side surface 115 which may define a first central aperture 113. The first central aperture 113 may be defined by a first shaft 119 which may extend across the back of the first section 117, and the first exterior side surface 105 and the second interior side surface 115 may be connected to a first back surface 119. The first top surface 101 may be planar or may be convexly curved.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the first top surface 101 may be substantially polished.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the first section 317 and illustrates a continuous crescent shaped, first top surface 301 which may be connected to a exterior side surface 305 and a first interior side surface 315 which may define a first central aperture 313. The first exterior side surface 305 and the second interior side surface 315 may be connected to a first back surface 319. The first top surface 301 may be planar or may be convexly curved.

FIG. 3 illustrates that the first top surface 301 may be textured.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the first section 317 and illustrates a continuous crescent shaped, first top surface 301 which may be connected to a exterior side surface 305 and a first interior side surface 315 which may define a first central aperture 313. The first exterior side surface 305 and the second interior side surface 315 may be connected to a first back surface 319. The first top surface 301 may be planar or may be convexly curved.

FIG. 4 illustrates that the first top surface 301 may be substantially smooth.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the first section 117 and illustrates the exterior first side surface 105.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the second section 131 which may include a second top surface 107 which may be substantially a half hemisphere shaped device and may include a second bottom surface 109 which may cooperate with a retaining shaft 133 which may retain the second section 113 on the ear of the user by cooperating with a retaining clip (not shown) which may be placed behind the ear of the user.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the second section 131 and illustrates the second top surface 107.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the second section 131 and illustrates a textured bottom surface 109.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the second section and illustrates a geometric bottom surface 109.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the retaining clip 132 to cooperate with the retaining shaft 133 to hold the ear ring on the ear of the user.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the first section 117 which may be pivotably connected to the second section 131 in a first position which may include a hinge portion to cooperate with the first shaft 119. The second section 131 may be pivoted to cooperate and be positioned within the first center aperture 113 of the first top section 117.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the first section 117 which may be pivotably connected to the second section 131 in a first position which may include a hinge portion to cooperate with the first shaft 119. The second section 131 may be pivoted to cooperate and be positioned within the first center aperture 113 of the first top section 117.

FIG. 13 illustrates a back view of the first section 117 which may be pivotably connected to the second section 131 and a first position which may include a hinge portion to cooperate with the first shaft 119. The second section 131 may be pivoted to cooperate and be positioned within the first center aperture 113 of the first top section 117.

FIG. 13 illustrates that the second section 131 may include a geometric indicia.

FIG. 14 illustrates a back view of the first section 117 which may be pivotably connected to the second section 131 and a first position which may include a hinge portion to cooperate with the first shaft 119. The second section 131 may be pivoted to cooperate and be positioned within the first center aperture 113 of the first top section 117.

FIG. 14 illustrates that the second section 131 may include a polished back.

FIG. 15 illustrates the first section 117 in a second position which may have been pivoted approximately 180° from the second section 131. Both the first section 117 and the second section 131 may have been rotated approximately 180° to allow gravity to maintain a substantially spaced relationship with the first section 117.

FIG. 16 illustrates the first section 117 in a second position which may have been pivoted approximately 180° from the second section 131. Both the first section 117 and the second section 131 may have been rotated approximately 180° to allow gravity to maintain a substantially spaced relationship with the first section 117.

Both FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a polished first section 117.

FIG. 17 illustrates in a bottom view the first section 117 in a second position which may have been pivoted approximately 180° from the second section 131. Both the first section 117 and the second section 131 may have been rotated approximately 180° to allow gravity to maintain a substantially spaced relationship with the first section 117.

FIG. 17 illustrates the second section 131 with a textured surface.

FIG. 18 illustrates in a bottom view the first section 117 in a second position which may have been pivoted approximately 180° from the second section 131. Both the first section 117 and the second section 131 may have been rotated approximately 180° to allow gravity to maintain a substantially spaced relationship with the first section 117.

FIG. 18 illustrates the second section 131 with geometric indicia.

FIG. 19 illustrates a back view of the second section 2131 which may include geometric indicia.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the second section 2131 and illustrates the retaining shaft 133 to cooperate with the retaining clip 132 to hold the ear ring on the ear of the user.

FIG. 21 illustrates a top view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned within a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117. The first section 2117 may be substantially U shaped, and the second section 2131 may be substantially rectangular and shape to cooperate with the first central aperture 2113.

FIG. 21 illustrates that the first section 2117 includes a textured surface and illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 and a first position.

FIG. 22 a top view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned within a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117.

FIG. 22 illustrates a bottom view and illustrates that the second section 2131 may include geometric indicia and illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 and a first position.

FIG. 23 illustrates a top view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned within a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117. FIG. 23 illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 at a first position.

FIG. 24 illustrates a top view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned above a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117. FIG. 24 illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 at a second position and has been pivoted on a hinge device which may include the shaft 119. The second section 2131 is positioned above the first central aperture 2113.

FIG. 25 illustrates the first section 2117 which may include the first central aperture 2113 and the first shaft 119. The surface of the first section 2117 may be textured.

FIG. 26 illustrates the first section 2117 which may include the first central aperture 2113 and the first shaft 119. The surface of the first section 2117 may be polished.

FIG. 27 illustrates a top view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned above a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117. FIG. 24 illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 at a second position and has been pivoted on a hinge device which may include the shaft 119. The second section 2131 is positioned above the first central aperture 2113.

FIG. 28 illustrates a side view of the first section 2117 and a second section 2131 which may be pivotably connected to the first section 2117 and may be positioned above a first central aperture 2113 of the first section 2117. FIG. 24 illustrates the first section 2117 and the second section 2131 at a second position and has been pivoted on a hinge device which may include the shaft 119. The second section 2131 is positioned above the first central aperture 2113.

FIG. 29 illustrates an ear ring in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and may include a first section 3117 which may be an outer section, a second section 3131 which may be a center section which may be pivotably connected to the first section 3117 by a first hinge 3153 and may be positioned within a first central aperture 3113 of the first section 3117, a third section 3151 which may be an inner section and which may be pivotably connected to the second section 3151 and may be positioned within the second central aperture 3114 where the third section 3151 may include a central hemisphere 3157 or other decoration. FIG. 29 illustrates that the ear ring is in a closed or first position.

FIG. 30 illustrates the ear ring in a closed or first position and illustrates a side view of the first section 3117 and the hemisphere 3157 of the third section 3151.

FIG. 31 illustrates the ring in a partially open position and illustrates the first section 3117, the first hinge 3153 which may pivotably connected for section 3117 to the second section 3131, the second section 3131 which may be pivotably connected to the third section 3151 by the second hinge 3155 and the third section 3151.

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view and illustrates the ring in a open position and illustrates the first section 3117, the first hinge 3153 which may pivotably connected for section 3117 to the second section 3131, the second section 3131 which may be pivotably connected to the third section 3151 by the second hinge 3155 and the third section 3151.

FIG. 33 illustrates a front view and illustrates the ring in a partially open position and illustrates the first section 3117, the first hinge 3153 which may pivotably connected for section 3117 to the second section 3131, the second section 3131 which may be pivotably connected to the third section 3151 by the second hinge 3155 and the third section 3151.

FIG. 34 illustrates a pendant 3400 including a chain 3401 with a first section 3117, a second section 3131, a third section 3151.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) An ear ring to be worn by a user, comprising: a first section having a central aperture; a second section being pivotably connected to the first section and being positioned within the central aperture. 2) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the first section is substantially a discontinuous crescent shape. 3) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the first section is substantially a continuous crescent shape. 4) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the surface of the first section is textured. 5) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the surface of the first section is polished. 6) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the second section is substantially a hemisphere shape. 7) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the first section is substantially a rectangular shape. 8) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the second section is substantially a rectangular shape. 9) An ear ring to be worn by a user as in claim 1, wherein the ear ring includes a third section that is pivotably connected to the second section. 